Australian swimming superstar Michael Klim has shared a glimpse into his daily struggle as he learns to live with rare Cidp disease.

Michael Klim : Rare disease | Cidp disease | Partner 

Michael George Klim, is a Polish-born Australian swimmer, Olympic gold medallist, world champion, and former world record-holder of the 1990s and 2000s. He is known as the creator of straight arm freestyle.

Michael Klim : Rare disease | Cidp disease | Partner

Personal information
Full name Michael George Klim
       National team          Australia
Born 13 August 1977 (age 45)
Gdynia, Poland
Height 191 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight 81 kg (179 lb)

Klim was first selected to represent Australia in the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, while still a student at Wesley College, Melbourne.

For his achievements he was named the Male Swimmer of the Year by Swimming World Magazine in 1997.

Michael Klim rare disease 

Michael Klim’s emotions were swirling when he was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame earlier this month.

At a ceremony in Florida, the hulking Aussie joined a club containing many of history’s most celebrated swimmers, divers and coaches, including Mark Spitz, Johnny Weissmuller and his old training partner Alex Popov.

Michael Klim : Rare disease | Cidp disease | Partner

Klim, Matthew Mitcham and Jon Sieben were Australia’s latest honorees, in the footsteps of local luminaries such as Ian Thorpe, Fanny Durack and Murray Rose. Ground-breaking coach Ursula Carlisle joined her late husband Forbes on the list, too.

But despite his glittering career and collection of medals, Klim couldn’t shake a mild dose of imposter syndrome.

“I looked out at the room and you’ve got Rowdy Gaines, Mary T Meagher, Greg Louganis, Jon Sieben … you have these sporting legends and it almost felt like I didn’t belong there, to be honest,” Klim said. “But it was an amazing night.”

It had taken some effort to get to Fort Lauderdale but with his partner Michelle and parents Ewa and Wojtek alongside him, Klim relished the trip down memory lane. It was respite.

Michael Klim Cidp disease 

Swimming legend Michael Klim has given a startling update on his battle with a rare neurological disorder and revealed he can no longer travel to Australia due to his worsening condition.

 

Speaking to former Olympic teammate Brett Hawke on his popular podcast, Klim – who was diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) in 2020, also confirmed that he is under financial stress after stepping down from his role in his successful skincare line due to his illness.

Michael Klim : Rare disease | Cidp disease | Partner

The father-of-three revealed his mobility is now so affected that he can no longer leave his adopted home of Bali and make trips to Australia as he previously did several times a year for both work and treatment.

‘I have pulled my focus to the swim academy here in Bali and… we run a bunch of camps and clinics,’ the 45-year-old said. 

And ‘I have sort of simplified my lifestyle just from that point of view.

‘I mean I did use to do 20 return trips to Australia a year for work and whatever.

‘But for now it’s just physically… physically actually impossible because (for) myself getting around is not simple.’

Klim said he no longer works for Milk & Co. because of the demands his auto-immune disorder is having on his physical and mental wellbeing.

Michael Klim’s partner Michelle Owen has shared a heartwarming post after the Aussie swimming legend revealed his health battle on The Sunday Project.

Partner 

Michael Klim’s partner Michelle Owen has shared a heartwarming post after the Aussie swimming legend revealed his health battle on The Sunday Project.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist revealed to Lisa Wilkinson he has chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), a rare type of auto-immune disorder where the body attacks the myelin sheaths — the fatty coverings on the fibres that insulate and protect the nerves.

Michael Klim : Rare disease | Cidp disease | Partner

He has now lost sensation in both of his feet, with a little bit of function in his left foot, and minimal in his right foot. He also noticed muscle wastage, with nearly all his calf muscles on both sides lost, along with most of his quad on one side.

After sharing his story, Owen took to Instagram to praise her partner.

“I’m so proud of you @michaelklim1 for sharing your story and struggles with CIDP – an auto-immune disorder that attacks the nerves which affects either your arms or legs. In Michaels case it’s his legs and feet,” she wrote.

“It’s been a journey for all the family and friends. We hope in sharing this story it brings more awareness and research to find a cure.”

Klim replied to the post simply by saying “Love you”.

By Rishabh

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